Osteoarthritis of the Knee Treatment: Physiotherapy Vs Cryotherapy

It’s very difficult to compare physiotherapy to cryotherapy, as physiotherapy is a medical treatment option and Whole Body Cryotherapy is considered an alternative treatment. Both have their value in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, but not necessarily in the same ways.

Physiotherapy is geared toward the long term treatment of osteoarthritis and encompasses the teaching of ways to minimize stress on the joints while increasing the range of motion through exercise and manipulation. Other benefits include learning about proper footwear and home care pain relief techniques to reduce arthritis in knee symptoms. What physiotherapy is not, however, is necessarily a means for pain management. There is no denying that in the long term, physiotherapy can contribute to less muscle and joint pain through physical therapy and education, but this can be a long although very beneficial process. Often, osteoarthritis medications such as pain relievers are still employed alongside physiotherapy for relief from osteoarthritis of the knee and arthritis in knee symptoms.

Conversely, cryotherapy works only to alleviate pain including knee joint pain. In doing so, a positive side effect may be an increased range of motion, but the deep freeze therapy is principally used to provide relief from discomfort following repeated usage. Interestingly enough, the use of cryotherapy in physiotherapy exists, although in a rudimentary form, in terms of externally applied ice for the reduction of inflammation. So what is cryotherapy? As an alternative treatment option, cryotherapy refers to cryo sauna chambers where an individual is subjected to incredibly cold temperatures made possible by liquid nitrogen for a very short period of time. Specifically for osteoarthritis of the knee, this method can lead to less inflammation, the slowing of pain sensing nerve receptors and a boat load of nor-ephinephrine, which can reduce discomfort and pain. Cryotherapy is also thought to stimulate an onslaught of immune activity from the body, which motivates repair processes in damaged joints and tissues.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is related to the breakdown of the joint cushioning cartilage that keeps bending and moving from becoming painful. Over time, symptoms can get worse and often medications or even surgeries are needed to provide pain relief. There are many natural remedies for osteoarthritis, but of them, the use of a cryo sauna may be one of the most often overlooked. The technology was originally developed decades ago for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for its pain reducing benefits. These same benefits can prove very useful in those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee and other parts of the body.

When comparing physiotherapy to cryotherapy, it’s difficult to make a distinction as the two are not necessarily instead of options. Both the management of the condition through physiotherapy is essential, as well as finding a means to obtain adequate pain management. Hence one should really not be considered ideal in place of another. What is valuable to consider is how cryotherapy and physiotherapy can be used together to achieve relief from osteoarthritis of the knee symptoms. Education, range of movement improvement and long term benefits of physiotherapy can be combined with the knee pain relieving benefits of cryotherapy to reduce the effects that osteoarthritis can have on your life and daily activities.

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DISCLAIMER

Information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. Whole body cryotherapy is not recommended as a form of treatment for any illness or disease without direction from your healthcare professional. The cryosauna is not a medical device and should not be considered a medical device. This equipment has not been tested and therefore, not approved by the Health Canada, FDA or any other government agencies. The results may vary and will depend on the adherence to the treatment program recommended by Cryotherapy Toronto's specialist, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle outside of cryo treatments.